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VERTEBRATA, 
are valuable and useful. They are remarkably docile and obedient to their masters, serviceable 
in all the fishing countries, and, yoked in pairs, draw the winter's fuel home. They are faithful, 
good-natured, and ever friendly to man. They will defend their master and their master's prop- 
erty, and suffer no person to injure either the one or the other; and, however extreme may be 
the danger, they will not leave them for an instant. They seem only to want the faculty of speech 
in order to make their good wishes and feelings understood, and they arc capable of being trained 
for all the purposes for Avhich every other variety of the canine species is used. 
Tliey are fond of the water, and having powerful limbs, and broad, webbed feet, are excellent 
swimmers. No other dog can compare with them in this element. They may be made exceed- 
ingly useful to the sportsman in pursuing water-fowl. Pr. Lewis gives a curious and interesting 
account of the manner in which a breed of these dogs are used on the Chesapeake in drawing the 
flocks of canvas-back ducks within range of the sporting parties. With one of these animals, the 
sportsmen, " consisting of several persons all prepared with heavy double-barreled duck-guns, 
ensconce theiiiselves at break of day behind some one of the numerous blinds temporarily erected 
along the shore, contiguous to the feeding-grounds of these ducks. Every thing being arranged, 
and the morning mists cleared off, the ducks will be seen securely feeding on the shallows, not 
less than several hundreds of yards from the shore. The dog is now put in motion by throwing 
stones from one side of the blind to the other. This will soon be perceived by the ducks, who, 
stimulated by an extreme degree of curiosity, and feeling anxious to inform themselves as to this 
sudden and singular phenomenon, raise their heads high in the water and commence swimming 
for the shore. The dog being kept in motion, the ducks will not arrest their progress until within 
a few feet of the water's edge, and oftentimes will stand on the shore staring, as it were, in mute 
and silly astonishment at the playful motions of the dog. If well trained, the dog takes no notice 
whatever of the ducks, but continues his fascination until the quick report of the battery announces 
to him that his services are now wanted in another quarter, and he immediately rushes into the 
water to arrest the flight of the maimed and wounded, who, struggling on every side, dye the 
water with their rich blood." 
It is not for sporting, however, that the Newfoundland breed are chiefly used. They are excel- 
lent guardians of the house, and exceedingly pleasant companions, as well for the old as the young. 
They have acquired great reputation for rescuing drowning persons from the water. A few anec- 
dotes, among the many on record, will illustrate this trait of character. 
" A native of Germany was traveling one evening on foot through Holland, accompanied by a 
dog of this breed. Walking on a high bank which formed one side of a dyke, his foot slipped, 
and he was precipitated into the water, and being unable to swim, soon became senseless. AVhen 
he recovered his recollection, he found himself in a cottage on the opposite side of the dyke, sur- 
rounded by peasants, who had been using the means for the recovery of drowned persons. The 
account given by one of them was, that, returning home from his labor, he observed at a consider- 
able distance a large dog in the water, swimming and dragging, and sometimes pushing along 
something that he seemed to have great difiiculty in supporting, but which he at length succeeded 
in getting into a small creek on the opposite side. When the animal had pulled what he had 
hitherto supported, as far out of tlie water as he was able, the peasant discovered that it was the 
body of a man, whose face and hands the dog was industriously licking. The peasant hastened 
to a bridge across the dyke, and having obtained assistance, the body was conveyed to a neigh- 
boring house, where proper means soon restored the drowned man to life." 
Dr. Beattie relates an instance of a gentleman attempting to cross the river Dee, then frozen 
over, near Aberdeen, Scotland. The ice gave Avay about the middle of the river ; but having a 
gun in his hand, he supported himself by placing it across the opening. His dog then ran to a 
neighboring village, Avhere, with the most significant gestures, he pulled a man by the coat, and 
prevailed on him to follow him. They arrived at the spot just in time to save the drowning 
man's life. 
One other story should not be omitted of this noble breed of dogs. A vessel was driven 
on the beach of Lydd, in Kent, England. The surf was roUing furiously. Eight poor fellows 
were crying for help, but not a boat could be got ofi" to their assistance. At length a gentleman 
